Southport 9 Foot Pool Table Review

The Southport 9 Foot Pool Table is a mid range priced slate table that most folks would be happy to have in their home entertainment room.

The look is easy on the eyes, with a style which will work with even the most demanding entertainment or recreation rooms. The saying is there is no substitute for slate and this 1″ three piece slate surface means you won’t be substituting.

Read Amazon Consumer Reviews on the Southport 9 Foot Pool Table

The Southport table comes with a choice of drop pockets or automatic ball return.

Features

• Tavern Styled Design for the Home
• Choice of Models
• Slate bed
• Industrial strength sub-frame

Tavern Styled Design for the Home

The Southport 9 Foot Pool Table has classic tavern pool table design but with a nicer looking finish than most you’ll find at the halls, but with the same commercial quality.

The Medium Cherry finish makes this table look more like furniture, and more likely to satisfy the interior designer in your life.

Choice of Models

A choice of models is a great feature, you can have your table as either a drop pocket or with a ball return system installed.

Slate Bed

The Southport 9 Foot Pool Table has a 1″ three piece slate playing surface.

The Brazilian Slate is honed to 1/1000th of an inch to give a level playing surface.

Slate pieces this big are around 200 lbs each, so easier to install than a single piece surface for the typical home owner, especially if you want your table installed upstairs.

Industrial strength sub-frame

What’s described as a “Superior sub-frame” provides support for the heavy 1″ slabs of slate on all sides making them resistant to warping.

Specifications

• Dimensions:  112″x62″x31″
• Play Area Drop Pockets or Auto Ball Return:  50″x100″
• Weight Drop Pockets:  1050 lbs
• Weight Auto Ball Return: 1075 lbs
• Slate: 3 Piece, 1″ Brazilian Slate, Honed to 1/1000th’s
• No Cloth Surface cover

Pros and Cons

Pros

If you’re going to pay for a mid priced slate table, you would expect it to look good, and have a style which makes people shake their head and say it “looks good”, the Southport 9 Foot accomplishes that.

The Cherry finish is described as handsome, which makes it a piece of furniture and not just a game piece.

The Table has the ever critical K-66 cushions which are vital to accurate angles and bounce back which is consistent.

Also the “duck” foot levelers make the table exceptionally stable.

Love the choice of either drop pockets or auto-ball return, though we prefer auto-ball return.

Cons

Its recommended this table be professionally installed, which we have no problem with, but it like many slate tables comes with no playing surface cover. We think it should be included because most installers will sell this for likely more than the manufacturer.

Also no accessories included, again maybe to help the installers make some extra money, but it could be included easy enough.

Final Thoughts

If you have a nice home, recreation or game room then you might want to pay for a classier table like with the Southport 9 Foot Pool Table.

There are slate tables for less, but sometimes the looks need to match surroundings even for billiard tables.

If this table suits your design needs, the accuracy of play should meet your serious billiard game needs and it’s a recommended buy.

Mizerak P5223W2 Donovon II 8-Foot Slatron Billiard Table Review

The Mizerak P5223W2 Donovon II 8-Foot Slatron Billiard Table is exactly the type of pool table you would expect to find in game rooms all across the United States.

It’s meant for family fun without being overly pricey or so cheaply constructed that you regret buying it within two years.

It has a nice combination of cheap features needed to keep cost down while providing the essentials to good family game play.

Read Amazon Consumer Reviews on the Mizerak Donovon II Slatron Billiard Table

Features

• Heavy-Duty Black Laminate Cabinet
• Drop Pockets
• Pedestal Style Legs
• Accessory Kit   Included (2 Cues, 1 Set of Balls, 1 Triangle, Chalk
• 90-day limited warranty

Heavy-Duty Black Laminate Cabinet

The Cabinet is a heavy duty laminate which should stand up to most anything a family can throw at it.

Its black finish will fit in with a variety of decors, so it’s possible to have your pool table and good looking family room at the same time.

Drop Pockets

The Mizerak P5223W2 Donovon II 8-Foot Slatron Billiard Table utilizes internal drop pockets which work better in a family arrangement than external pockets that get played with and even destroyed over a few years with playing other than pool.

Pedestal Style Legs

The legs are reinforced pedestal style with adjustable leg levelers for the floor which is typically not so level.

Accessory Kit

The Mizerak P5223W2 Donovon II 8-Foot Slatron Billiard Table includes the following accessories:

• 2 cues
• 1 set billiard balls
• 1 triangle
• Chalk

Specifications 

• Dimensions: 82 x 47 x 9.5 inches
• Shipping weight: 389 pounds

Pros and Cons

Pros

Uses K-66 Bumper rails and internal drop pockets

Priced for Family fun

Corner caps on table ends provide extra protection a family table made of laminate can use.

Cons

It’s not slate it’s Slatron, but then you’re not paying for slate either.

Final Thoughts

Its priced right and built solid for a family rec room pool table.  You’ll have years of fun with the Mizerak P5223W2 Donovon II 8-Foot Slatron Billiard Table.

Its laminated cabinet saves money, but you still get quality K-66 cushions all around.  Plus it comes complete with all the accessories to get you started right away.

A recommended buy at an affordable price for the family room.

Minnesota Fats MFT200 Fairfax Billiard Table Review

The Minnesota Fats MFT200 Fairfax Billiard Table is targeted at those with limited space on a limited budget.

The table itself is smaller than a ping pong table but bigger than foosball table, to give you an idea of size.  It is priced to be affordable and accomplishes this in part due to the 3/4 inch slate-core and laminate cabinet.
The review will go into this in more detail.

Read Amazon Consumer Reviews on the Minnesota Fats MFT200

Features

Small Foot Print
Cost Saving Components
Ball return system

Small Foot Print

A converted basement, garage or attic space is great but can offer some space challenges for conventional sized game equipment like pool or billiard tables.

But no need to assume you need to forego the pool table and get a bumper pool table, because the Minnesota Fats MFT200 Fairfax Billiard Table is only 80 by 31 by 44 inches (W x H x D) and will fit many smaller spaces.

Shipping weight is only 154 lbs.

Cost Saving Components

The Minnesota Fats MFT200 Fairfax Billiard Table incorporates many cost saving features to make this table affordable without sacrificing the fun of a game of pool.

Slate-Core

Its biggest cost saver is undoubtably the 3/4″ slate-core surface. Wondering how much slate is in that core?  well the Amazon.com product reviews says:

“Note: Slate-Core is hard-pressed wood that has been pressed by extreme pressure machines and plays like a normal pool table. The surface keeps the cost and weight down without sacrificing smoothness.”

The Slate-Core surface is covered with an adequate cloth to protect against normal play and provide adequate game play. No mention of materials by manufacture.

Which would indicate no slate is in the core. However of the four reviews on Amazon.com 3 are 5 stars with the fourth reduced to 3 because of shipping damage not a fault of the manufacture. So it would seem that the slate-core is just fine for family fun.

Laminate Cabinet

The cabinet can greatly increase the cost of a billiard or pool table as its supporting the playing surface.   However instead of costly hardwoods, DMI Sports used a laminate system for the cabinet, which when done properly can be very, very strong. Consumers commented on the solidness of the table so evidently the cabinet, and some specifically commented on teenagers using the table so it must be sturdy.

Support

The cabinet is supported by pedestal style legs with copper levelers.

The setup is said to be easy and quick so don’t be apprehensive about putting it together. Some stated they had their tables ready to use in 15 minutes.

Ball Return System

For the price this is a surprisingly nice feature. A ball return system is usually found on much more expensive tables so it’s a nice feature be found in the Minnesota Fats MFT200 Fairfax Billiard Table.

Cushions

The Bumpers or cushions are more than likely synthetic as they don’t mention K-66 cushions which are natural rubber. This feature will save money up front but over a decade may require replacement for dead cushions, but by then you’ll likely be ready to move up to a bigger table and maybe a bigger house.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Price. great price for a family game room billiard / pool table.

Ball Return System, a great feature for such an inexpensive table.

Small footprint for small spaces.

Cons

Non-slate playing surface, but for the price it’s adequate for a game room of non-serious players.

No accessories included, you have to buy the cues, balls and chalk separately, which can add up fast.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking to become the next Minnesota Fats you may want to move up to a more professional table.

If you just looking for the family to have a fun pool table, this is a table to consider, its smaller size makes it ideal for small basements or small game rooms where size matters.

We like it as a starter, young family table, you’ll have a lot of fun for cheap.

Great American Monarch 9 Foot Pool Table Review

The Great American Monarch 9 Foot Pool Table is your Pool Hall Pool Table, only without the coin or bill changer.

Of course for a few hundred more, you can have the coin acceptor or bill changer if you want.

This is a table which should last for a long time and give you that pool room feeling to make the most of the man cave, game room or garage.

Of course you always have the option of buying several and just opening a hall of your own, with the Great American Monarch 9 Foot Pool Table it’s just that easy.

Read Amazon Consumer Reviews on the Great American Monarch 9 Foot Pool Table

Features

• 1 inch one-piece slate
• Same Pool Hall Cabinet
• Same Pool Room Rails

1 inch one-piece slate

Wow, 1 inch one-piece slate. This is the ideal setup. This is the same table as the coin-operated tables you’re used to seeing, with the same build design, minus the coin operation mechanism and the ball dump bar.

Same Pool Hall Cabinet

The Great American Monarch 9 Foot Pool Table Home table has the same 3/4 inch Cabinet Grade Plywood for Sides and Bottom as those in the hall around the corner.

You might scoff at plywood, but it’s worked in pool rooms across the country for years so you can likely depend on it at home under less abuse for years as well.

Same Pool Room Rails

The Great American Monarch 9 Foot Pool Table also has the same poplar hardwood rails with plastic sights as used on the coin operated versions of this table.

Specifications

• Pool Table Dimensions: 114in L x 64in W x 32.5in H
• Playing Surface Dimensions: 100.5in L x 50.5in W
• Weight: 1100 lbs.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Are you kidding? A 1″ slate one-piece surface is the best place to spend the money and in this table its well spent.

The Rails are also durable and proven, so we can’t argue with a track record like that.

Fast Ball Return, just like…well you know.

Cons

Pricy, but doable. And besides there’s no question about it being pool hall quality.

Final Thoughts

Who wouldn’t want an actual pool hall table at their house. We love the idea of being able to buy a 9′ table setup exactly the same except the coin operated mechanisms.

Grant you, a good table can be had for less money, but then it won’t be the same as you use hanging out with all your buds.

But if you’ve gone from hall to home, can afford the Great American Monarch 9 Foot Pool Table why not, we recommend it.

Fat Cat Tucson Billiard Table Review

The Fat Cat Tucson Billiard Table is another game room table which is inexpensive and gives the family plenty of fun for a small amount of money.

As long as you keep things in perspective you’ll be fine, there are  serious pool tables with slate-surfaces where critique of play are important, then there are fun game room tables which provide tons of enjoyment for a great price.

The Fat Cat with ball return qualifies as a fun table most families might want on their short list.

Read Amazon Consumer Reviews on the Fat Cat Tucson Billiard Table

Features

• 18mm Non-Slate Surface
• Cloth Surface Cover Blue polyester cloth
• Rubber bumpers
• Auto Ball Return
• Accessories Included

18mm Non-Slate Surface

The surface is a 18 mm particle board, which keeps the price down big time. Particle board can warp over time so game play could change over the years.

Cloth Surface

Playing surface cover is a Blue polyester cloth. Again not a high end table cover, but not a high end table price.

The color actually adds to the game room ambiance and compliments the game room featured design.

Rubber Bumpers

As the MFG didn’t say the grade of bumper it’s assumed to be K-55 or synthetic rubber, which are good for several years of play without concern of becoming dead cushions.

Auto Ball Return

A great feature in keeping with the game room feel of things.

Many better tables won’t include a ball return perhaps because the slat playing surface already increases shipping weight significantly.

But on these lighter weight tables the extra weight contributes to stability.

Auto Ball returns are a feature we are glad they installed.

Accessories Included

Included with the Fat Cat Tucson Billiard Table are:

• 1 set 2 1/4″ billiard balls
• Two 57″ cue sticks
• 1 resin triangle
• Chalk

Specifications

• Dimensions:  84 x 46 x 31.2 inches
• Weight:  217 lbs.

Pros and Cons

Pros

A great price for a table intended for fun.

Ball Return

Accessories Included

Cons

MDF play surface

Synthetic Cushions

Final Thoughts

As with the Game Room or Fun Tables under $600 our expectations are different than higher ended billiard tables. With that in mind we rate according to like built tables.

For the money, the Fat Cat Tucson is as good a choice as others we’ve covered, a lot depends on your choice of color and style.

For a fun table the Fat Cat is an acceptable choice for kids of all ages who just want fun and not serious competitions.

Billards or Pool Hustler Movies

The World is hooked on Movies where some of the stars are actually pool tables. Think how huge the movie ” The Hustler ” was with Paul Newman and Jackie Gleason in 1961. Yet despite the movies age, its an all time classic.

You might be surprised to learn that in the United States one of the first movies to come out based on the game of pool or as the primary component, came out in 1915 as a silent movie called Pool Shark starring W.C. Fields.

Even The Twilight Zone featured a show depicting a match between a hot shot pool player and a ghost champion from the past, with the stakes of the game being the hot shots life. This episode was called ” A Game of Pool ” stared Jack Klugman and Jonathan Winters.

To demonstrate how popular this episode was, it was re-made in 1988 with the same episode name, and using the original ending planned by the director.

Another Great Movie you may have missed was filmed in 1971 with Minnesota Fats playing himself. The movie was called ” The Player “.

1980 gave us ” The Baltimore Bullet “ with James Colburn and Omar Sharif.

Johnny Cash starred in the 1984 movie for TV ” The Baron and the Kid ” which also starred Johnny Cash’s wife – June Carter Cash.

The sequel to ” The Hustler ” was made in 1986 called ” The Color of Money “ And in case you forgot, Paul Newman was in this Outstanding movie along with none other than Tom Cruise.

But it didn’t stop there, America’s love of Pool brought about a flurry of movies over the years for example:

1989 ” Kiss Shot ” with Whoppi Goldberg,  “Lemon Tree Tree House”  in 1996, ” Running Out ” 2001, ” Pool Hall Junkies ” 2002, ” Behind the Nine ” 2003, ” Up Against the 8 Ball ” 2004, ” Shooting Gallery ” 2005, ” 9 Ball ” 2006 ” and 2007 brought us ” Turn the River “.

Pool Tables have a place in the American Pyche as evidenced by the Pool Hustler being the theme of many movies over the years.